Byzantine, Gothic and
Early Renaissance
paintings are rich in
philosophical and
Christian symbolism
regarding The Cross
The Cross is a very ancient
symbol The history of this powerful icon is ambiguous. The
cross was used centuries before appearance of Christ . The cross can be
found in
Egyptian
and
Assyrian
sculptures, carvings and paintings. There are many different
explanations and legends about the original meaning of this sacred
symbol. If you spend a good deal of time rooting around the Holy
lands you are sure to have many different interpretations. Often
academic and scholarly sources contradict each other. According to Anna
Jameson, author of Sacred and Legendary Art, "About the tenth
century the Fish disappeared, and the Cross symbol of our redemption
from the apostolic times became the sole and universal emblem of the
Christian faith. The cross placed in the hand of a saint is usually the
Latin cross, the form ascribed to the cross on which our Saviour
suffered."
The cross first
appeared in Christian art on a Vatican sarcophagus (
A wood, clay or metal coffin) from the 450 AD. To
early Christian it is clear that the cross symbolized the manner of
death of Jesus Christ and His sufferings subsequent death, and as
a symbol of His sacrifice. It is the most important Christian Holy Symbol.
The Latin Inverted Cross -
represents the Martyrdom of St. Peter, also known as the St. Peter
cross. St Peter was crucified on an upside down cross because he didn't
feel himself worthy to be crucified on the same kind of cross as the
Messiah, Jesus Christ.